Favourite things

Leila chose 'Favourite Things' for her 'Ringo Pie' queen bee month.  There was a lot of freedom in this theme, the block needed to reflect something about us.  I recently bought this inspirational book, 163 Patchwork Blocks and Quilts.  There is a Flickr group about this book and you can find out more about it there.  You just know looking at the cover that this book is fantastic- sorry to be such a temptress.  It is hard to find- The Workroom stock it when they can and are great at mail order.  Pomadour24 on ebay and etsy sometimes has copies.  Warning: it is expensive!   You need to be prepared to draft with this book, it is all in diagrams in the usual Japanese style and many of the blocks use intersecting Y seams- just saying...

 As soon as I saw this spools block I just knew this was the one.   I love spools block, conquering the Y intersection seams in my first Ringo Pie block was part of my quilting journey and my love of paper piecing.

I knew I wanted my favourite Kumiko Fujita ruler print, ( you can find some here).  I have it in 4 colour ways- one for each spool and I wanted vintage prints for the spool centres- many of these came from swaps with the lovely Chase.

Leila wanted 6" finished blocks for a sampler quilt she is planning so this block is small but it was intricate with 16 Y seams!  I drew the block on freezer paper- you can see the book diagram which gives block proportions and also a picture of the assembled block reverse side which is most helpful.

I am using the same book to inspire me for Pillow talk 9 swap.  I have an amazing partner, and I am hoping that this block will do the trick.  I plan for 9 of these and you can see, Y seams again so I need to get on with it!

Places to go, people to see

Fancy a crafty tour around my kitchen?  Click on to my latest post at Sew-Ichigo.  

Need a pattern?  I have to give another mention to Penny's Latte-to-go with its cute gift card sleeve- free tutorial here and pattern on sale here. 

And Ayumi's deliciously tasty 'Dishy Treats' August block for her Superbuzzy/Pink Penguin Quilt-a-long.  How does she do it?  Each variation is such a  clever mix of shapes.

And finally,  Leila's traditional Japanese style teapot pattern.   I love the chunky heavy base on this pot!

Happy touring x

Squeaks

It sort of feels wrong for a grown woman to squeak when she opens the mail- a bit like going- Ahh!  when you drink a cup of tea ( I promise I don't do that...yet).  I have had some great mail this week, almost like a secret extra birthday that I didn't know I had.  These printing press beauties came from Suzanne, an act of kindness, she knows how much I love to see her printing press photos and student activities.

You can just see my vkb initials stamped on the corner.  It is a notebook with upcycled paper- very loud squeaks!  And just look at the cards- I think they are going on the wall.  Printing is one of those processes that I love with an intensity but I am too messy when I work and maybe a bit impatient so I have to admire the work of others.  I really admire Suzanne's!

Ayumi sent me 2 beautiful bright and happy blocks for 318 Patchwork Bee to go with my Teatime theme.   I love them Ayumi, so sunny!   They look very pretty alongside Charise's tea caddy and Leila's teapot.  I plan to make a table runner with my 318 blocks.

And Amy sent me some paper bits and pieces for no reason apart from her general loveliness- this is her latest paper pieced pattern on sale here.  Her shaping on this watering can is unbelievable- look at the handle!

Thankyou ladies, you are making this a very happy mail week xxx

Sharing

This is ending up being a bit of a lost week, I am under the weather so not much is happening here, sewing progress is slow and most of the time is spent unpicking mistakes- let's draw a veil over that and instead I would like to share the work of a couple of friends.

Looking for a quick scrappy project?  After a gentle nudge from Penny, Leila has her first pattern for sale

You can buy it here .  

And, if you are feeling  like a little more paper piecing, Amy has made her stunning Vintage Skier block into a pattern on sale here

Amy has great attention to detail in this pattern with notes on suitable fabrics and the most wonderful shaping that makes the skier jump out at you!

And Julianna kicked off the Sew Out Loud Quilt a long with this stunning graphic block

 

Details and free pattern are found here. You can join this quilt a long at any time, dip in, dip out whatever you fancy- Flickr group here

Proud of my talented friends!  Back when normal service resumes here x